School Violence/Gangs What is school violence?

Fighting/BullyingSexual HarassmentBringing drugs to schoolVandalism TheftFirearms in school, etc.

What are gangs?a group of youngsters or adolescents who associate closely, often exclusively, for social reasons, especially such a group engaging in delinquent behavior. (Dictionary.com)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMkoNePKfsE

A few statistics Thirty-seven percent of American students report

the presence of gangs in their schools.

In 2000, 2.5 million was the number of crimes at school in which students ages 12 through 18 were the victims. About 186,000 of those were serious violent crimes (including rape, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault).

An average of one homicide event occurs every seven school days. School related homicides increase at the beginning of the school year and after winter breaks.

200,000 is the number of students in the United States who carry a gun to school, on any given day.

Violence remains the second leading cause of death for Americans aged 15 to 24.

What about Teachers?

Annually, over the five-year period from 1998 to 2002, teachers were the victims of approximately 234,000 total nonfatal crimes at school, including 144,000 thefts and 90,000 violent crimes

In 2003-04, 10 percent of teachers in central city schools were threatened with injury by students, compared with 6 percent of teachers in urban fringe schools and 5 percent of teachers in rural schools. Five percent of teachers in central city schools were attacked by students, compared with 3 percent of teachers in urban fringe and 2 percent of teachers in rural schools

BUT “Unless you are sure you can separate the students without danger to yourself, or them, attempting to do so is unwise. As a guideline in these situations, teachers are first responsible for the safety of the other students and themselves, second for the involved students, and then to property” (Eggen and Kauchak, 382.).

. “An effective response to violence involves three steps: 1) Stop the incident (if possible), 2) protect the victim, and 3) get help” (Eggen and Kauchak, p. 382).

As a teacherwhat do I do if

I am witnessing a violent act,

etc.?

As an EDUCATOR what can I do?

# Sudden lack of interest# Obsessions with violent games# Depression and mood swings# Writing that shows despair and isolation# Lack of anger management skills# Talking about death or bringing weapons to school

And always…

As a PARENT…What can I doto help STOP violence?

# Sudden lack of interest# Obsessions with violent games# Depression and mood swings# Writing that shows despair and isolation# Lack of anger management skills# Talking about death or bringing weapons to school

What do we tell our kids about VIOLENCE?

What should schools be telling our kids about VIOLENCE?

SOURCES Dunne, D. (2005). Education World: “Strategies to Stem School

Violence.” Retrieved on March 2, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat038.shtml http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat038.shtml

National Crime Prevention Council. “What Parents Can Do to Keep Kids Safe at School.” Copyright © 2011 National Crime Prevention Council. Retrieved on March 2, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.ncpc.org/topics/school-safety/copy_of_school-safety http://www.ncpc.org/topics/school-safety/copy_of_school-safety

National School Safety Center. “Types of School Violence.” Retrieved on March 2, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.nssc1.org/types-of-school-violence.html http://www.nssc1.org/types-of-school-violence.html

National School Safety Center. Myths About School Violence: “Dispelling Myths About School Violence.” Retrieved on March 2, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.nssc1.com/school-violence-myths.html http://www.nssc1.com/school-violence-myths.html

Spitzer, Lauren. Youth Noise: “Facts About School Violence.” Retrieved on March 4, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=1458 http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=1458

And…Sources National School Safety Center: “How Prevalent is School Violence?”

Retrieved on March 1, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.nssc1.org/prevalence-of-school-violence.html http://www.nssc1.org/prevalence-of-school-violence.html

Do Something: “Facts About School Violence.” Retrieved March 7, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-school-violence http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-school-violence

National Center for Education Statistics: “Indicators of School Crime, and Safety: 2004” Retrieved March 2, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/crimeindicators2006/ind_05.asp http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/crimeindicators2006/ind_05.asp

Eggen, P. Kauchak, D. Educational Psychology: “Windows on Classrooms” 8th Edition. Pearson Publishing.

National School Safety and Security Services. “Gangs Impacting Schools Nationwide” Retrieved on March 18, 2011 from: HYPERLINK http://www.schoolsecurity.org/media/releases/2009/School-gangs-violence-20090930.html